Roche cuts HIV protease inhibitor prices for lower middle-income countries
Thursday, June 10, 2004 14:15 IST Basel
Roche announced further significant reductions in the prices of its HIV protease inhibitors, Invirase (saquinavir) and Viracept (nelfinavir), for people living in low and lower middle income countries, as classified by the World Bank.
Roche is introducing the new reduced prices, which represent a reduction of up to a third on the previous reduced prices, in recognition of a potential increased need for second-line therapies. Global initiatives to increase access to first-line therapies have resulted in a growing number of people on initial HIV treatment.
The number of people in Africa, on treatment supplied by the companies in the Accelerating Access Initiative, doubled from 75,000 to 150,000 between June and December 2003. As the number of people on first-line therapy increases, the need for future second-line treatment options may become increasingly important.
William M. Burns, head of Roche Pharmaceuticals, commented, "Until a cure for HIV/AIDS is discovered, research, prevention and treatment remain the key global priorities. While our primary role in the global efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS is the discovery and development of new medicines, Roche is constantly reviewing its activities and is running a range of programmes on the ground for those living in the poorest countries. Our action today demonstrates our long term commitment to these people living with HIV/AIDS."
To provide a treatment option for those failing on first-line therapies, Roche has further reduced the prices of Invirase (saquinavir) and Viracept. Saquinavir is recommended as a second-line option within the Treatment Guidelines for Antiretroviral Therapy in resource-limited settings, developed by the World Health Organization. The price changes are effective immediately and terms and conditions of supply remain unchanged.
HIV continues to spread, with more than 15,000 new infections every day - 95 per cent of which are in Least Developed, low and lower middle-income countries.
